Attorney General Merrick Garland defended himself and the Department of Justice before a congressional panel on Wednesday morning, denying House Republicans’ allegations that the DOJ has become a “politicized and weaponized” arm of the federal government.
At the start of the hearing, House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) accused Garland and the Justice Department of showing preferential treatment toward Hunter Biden, the president’s son, while targeting former president Donald Trump with two federal indictments.
Jordan claimed that Garland handpicked David Weiss as the special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe because he knew he “will protect Joe Biden.”
Garland said the DOJ is upholding the law equally and fairly to both sides of the political aisle, adding he is not the “president's lawyer” nor “Congress's prosecutor.”
"Our job is to pursue justice, without fear or favor. Our job is not to do what is politically convenient,” Garland told panel members. “Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else about who or what to criminally investigate, as the president himself has said.”
“We will not be intimidated,” he said. “We will do our jobs free from outside influence, and we will not back down from defending our democracy.”
When asked by Representative Mike Johnson (R., La.) whether he personally contacted FBI headquarters regarding Hunter Biden’s investigation, Garland said he could not “recollect the answer.”
Garland’s testimony on Capitol Hill comes eight days after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) formally opened an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his alleged involvement in his son’s overseas business deals.
Representative Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) grilled Garland on Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Representative Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) suggested that Garland was in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions regarding the ongoing criminal probe into the Biden family.
Other GOP panel members focused on the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith in both of Trump’s federal indictments, which includes 44 charges related to the classified documents case and election interference allegations.
Representative Tom McClintock (R., Calif.) asked Garland about Smith's legal reputation, questioning the attorney general about Smith's competence and his ability to fairly prosecute Republicans and conservative groups. Garland said Smith is not registered with either political party and acts with integrity in his legal cases.
Panel members also questioned Garland about the fentanyl crisis, the January 6 Capitol riot, and the DOJ’s and FBI’s targeting of Catholics as “violent extremists,” among other topics of concern.
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